Supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmill having a support frame, a base frame and a deck frame. The supporting mechanism includes a supporting rod with one end connected to the base frame and with the other end connected through an extension spring to an extension piece of the front roller is interposed between the base frame and the deck frame. A slide wheel is provided between the supporting rod and the inner side of the deck frame. The slide wheel is cooperative with a supporting piece  38  at bottom end of the deck frame to create a supporting effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a supporting mechanism for a deck frame of afolding-up treadmill with economical, durable and easy-to-use features.This supporting mechanism serves to support the deck frame of thefolding-up treadmill when the deck frame is folded up in storageposition.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional treadmills have a large volume. In order to diminishoccupied space and to facilitate their transport, a folding-up device isfitted for the deck frame of the treadmills. However, the deck frame instorage position creates a tremendous loading to the base frame.Moreover, in order to prevent the deck frame from unexpected dangeroustoppling, a supporting mechanism is interposed between the deck frameand the base frame to provide proper supporting force.

The most commonly used so-called supporting mechanism is pneumatic andhydraulic cylinder. In folding up the deck frame, the cylinder is usedto provide a lifting force to the deck frame so that the operator isable to elevate the deck frame with little effort.

The supporting mechanism created by the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinderhat, of course, excellent using effect. However, the inventor finds afew drawbacks of the conventional cylinders as follows:

-   1. The pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is very expensive;-   2. The service life of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is very    limited due to the larger loading. It's often defective before the    warranty expires, thereby resulting in much trouble and cost to the    suppliers. Meanwhile, the commercial reputation is also tremendously    damaged. Besides, this causes much inconvenience to the operators,    too; and-   3. The operator can't still realize something wrong with the    pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder from their appearance when they are    so damaged that they are no more usable. Provided that the deck    frame unexpectedly topples down, this would endanger the operator or    even people and objects around him.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary object of the present invention to remove theabove-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a supporting mechanism for adeck frame of a folding-up treadmill which utilizes a supporting rodwith simple configuration instead of conventional pneumatic or hydrauliccylinder. Accordingly, the fabricating cost of the supporting mechanismcan be effectively reduced. Moreover, the supporting mechanism inaccordance with the present invention is more durable and easier to use.Besides, the functionality of the supporting mechanism is more easilyidentifiable so that the using safety is more ensured. Furthermore, theservice life of the supporting mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention is longer than the conventional pneumatic or hydrauliccylinder, thereby avoiding the unnecessary servicing cost. Moreover, theinvention is a practical design for the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description and its accompanyingdrawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folded-up treadmill with thesupporting mechanism supporting the deck frame thereof in storageposition;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the treadmill in accordance with FIG. 1,showing the operational position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the treadmill in accordance with FIG. 1,showing the folding-up action thereof; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the folded-up treadmill in accordance with FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

First of all, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a treadmill 10 includes ahandle support 12, a base frame 20 and a deck frame 30. The top of thehandle support 12 is provided with a console 14. The deck frame 30 isswiveled on the handle support 12 through a pivot pin 16 so that thedeck frame 30 can be folded up in a storage position. Meanwhile, amovable endless belt transmission assembly 31 is mounted on the deckframe 30 while a front roller 33 is driven in motion by means of atransmission belt 32. A movable endless belt 35 is rotatable around thefront roller 33 and a rear roller 34 so that an operator can stand onthe movable endless belt 35 to take an in-place walking, jogging orrunning exercise. Moreover, the deck frame is provided with a supportprotrusion 36 at both bottom sides thereof.

A supporting rod 21 with one end connected to the base frame 20 and withthe other end connected through an extension spring 22 to an extensionpiece 37 of the front roller is interposed between the base frame 20 andthe deck frame 30. A slide wheel 23 is provided between the supportingrod 21 and the inner side of the deck frame 30. The slide wheel 23 iscooperative with a supporting piece 38 at bottom end of the deck frame30 to create a supporting effect.

As for the operation of the supporting rod 21, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3and 4, the supporting rod 21 is shifted by the deck frame 30 in a hiddenposition between the deck frame 30 and the base frame 20 when the deckframe 30 is located in the operation position. Meanwhile, the extensionspring 22 is situated in extended state. In folding up the deck frame30, the supporting rod 21 is moved therewith under the effect of theextension spring 22 until the deck frame 30 is folded up in place. Atthat time, the slide wheel 23 of the supporting rod 21 is locatedagainst a tip 381 of the supporting piece 38 for reaching the expectedsupporting effect. Besides, the extension spring 22 is released in anoriginal state.

To fold up the deck frame 30 in place still requires a limit post 18inwardly and laterally extending from the handle support 12. Therefore,the deck frame 30 is positionable by the limit post at a certainfolded-up angle.

Again, referring to FIG. 1, in releasing the supporting force of thesupporting rod 21 for bringing the deck frame 30 in operation position,it's only required for an operator to use his hand to support the deckframe 30. Meanwhile, the operator uses his foot to separate the slidewheel 23 from the tip 381 of the supporting piece 38. Therefore, thedeck frame 30 is smoothly brought in operational state.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiment of theinvention can, of course, be carried out without departing from thescope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and theuseful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

1. An supporting mechanism for a deck frame of a folding-up treadmillhaving a handle support, a base frame and a deck frame, the top of thehandle support being provided with a console, the deck frame beingswiveled on the handle support through a pivot pin so that the deckframe can be folded up in a storage position, a movable endless belttransmission assembly being mounted on the deck frame while a frontroller is driven in motion by means of a transmission belt, a movableendless belt being rotatable around the front roller and a rear rollerso that an operator can stand on the movable endless belt to take anin-place walking, jogging or running exercise, the deck frame beingprovided with a support protrusion at both bottom sides thereof, thesupporting mechanism comprising: a) a supporting rod with one endconnected to the base frame and with the other end connected through anextension spring to an extension piece of the front roller at the innerside of the deck frame; b) a slide wheel provided between the supportingrod and the inner side of the deck frame; and c) a supporting piecebeing cooperative with the slide wheel at bottom end of the deck frameto create a supporting effect.